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No football player is perfect, but their performances can be.

That's according to French outlet L'Equipe, who have given out a rating of 10 only 17 times to 15 different stars - but Cristiano Ronaldo isn't one of them.

Ronaldo's trophy cabinet is full to the brim, but one honour is eluding him
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Ronaldo's trophy cabinet is full to the brim, but one honour is eluding himCredit: Getty

The Al Nassr captain has played in three of Europe's top five leagues during his glittering career with Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid.

But despite collecting five Ballon d'Ors and winning 33 trophies including a European Championship, the Manchester United legend is yet to be deemed a 10 out of 10 in L'Equipe's books.

To be fair to Ronaldo, it's notoriously difficult to be awarded their perfect score.

He did come close with a nine when he netted a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid with Juventus to win 3-2 on aggregate and reach the Champions League quarter-finals in 2019.

MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO

However, his rival Lionel Messi has managed the feat twice alongside one other star.

This summer, the Portugal skipper will take a step away from the Saudi Pro League as he joins his country at the European Championships in Germany.

It could mark Ronaldo's final opportunity for him to be rated 10 of 10 by L'Equipe, given he could hang up his boots in the next few years and is currently playing in Saudi Arabia.

So, which players have already been judged to be a perfect 10 that Ronaldo will be hoping to join? talkSPORT.com has got you covered...

Ronaldo could finally secure the honour at his sixth European Championship
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Ronaldo could finally secure the honour at his sixth European ChampionshipCredit: getty

Erling Haaland - Man City vs Manchester United (2022)

It took Haaland just nine league games with his new club to be given a 10 by L'Equipe. The striker dispatched his third hat-trick of the season against rivals Manchester United in their 6-3 derby day win.

Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his limited-edition Ferrari that he's added to his £19million car collection

L'Equipe wrote: "Erling Haaland flew through the derby by enhancing his third hat-trick in a row at home in the Championship - a header (34th) and two shots from the left (37th, 64th) - with two perfect assists for Phil Foden (44th, 72nd).

"More and more complete and better and better integrated into the sparkling play of his team, he has totalled 17 goals in 11 matches this season, including 14 in 8 Premier League matches. Lunar!"

Haaland went on to net a ridiculous 36 goals in the Premier League, the most by any player in a season
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Haaland went on to net a ridiculous 36 goals in the Premier League, the most by any player in a seasonCredit: Getty

Erling Haaland - Man City vs RB Leipzig (2023)

Haaland scored a 10 once again in Man City's 7-0 demolition of RB Leipzig in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, with him netting an outrageous five goals.

L'Equipe wrote: "Simply monstrous. Erling Haaland is an alien who is having an exceptional season with City. Against RB Leipzig, without seeming to touch it, he scored a historic quintuple (22nd, 24th, 45th+1, 55th, 57th) before leaving just after the hour mark to the cheers of an entire stadium.

"The Norwegian joins a very exclusive club, made up of Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano. There are now three to have scored a quintuple in a Champions League match."

Haaland played a huge role in firing Man City to their first ever Champions League trophy
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Haaland played a huge role in firing Man City to their first ever Champions League trophyCredit: Getty

Dominik Livakovic - Croatia vs Brazil (2022)

Croatia glovesman Livakovic made a vital penalty save in the quarter-finals to break Brazil hearts and send Croatia into the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. It was his overall performance against the five-time winners that got him the 10, though.

L'Equipe wrote: "With eleven saves recorded during the match, the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper played his role of rampart perfectly. Livakovic (27 years old) is the one who disgusted the Brazilians preventing them from continuing their path towards a sixth star.

"After interposing twice against Neymar, he certainly ended up giving in during extra time against the PSG striker but he became the hero of his nation by stopping Brazil's first shot, signed Rodrygo, during of the penalty shootout."

Livakovic's heroics on the world stage earned him L'Equipe's badge of honour
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Livakovic's heroics on the world stage earned him L'Equipe's badge of honourCredit: Getty

Alban Lafont - Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain (2022)

Keeping some of the world's best talent at bay is no easy task. But when Lafont faced Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar back in 2022, he played a key role in his side sealing a huge 3-1 win over PSG.

L'Equipe wrote: "While FC Nantes delivered an exceptional match of mastery to dominate PSG and lead 3-0 at the break, Alban Lafont showed himself to be absolutely imperial against the Parisian waves. In front of Bernat, Messi, Mbappe, Gueye and even Neymar, the Canaries goalkeeper wins all his duels with incredible authority.

"PSG players are disgusted. If Neymar, however, manages to reduce the gap without Lafont being held responsible, he will push back a few minutes after a particularly poorly taken penalty from the Brazilian. At the end of the match, Lafont intervened again against Messi, Draxler and Di Maria. Impassable!"

Lafont and Nantes handed PSG their second loss of the season, with the goalkeeper also saving a Neymar penalty
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Lafont and Nantes handed PSG their second loss of the season, with the goalkeeper also saving a Neymar penaltyCredit: AFP

Kylian Mbappe - France vs Kazakhstan (2021)

France qualified for the 2022 World Cup in style with a thumping 8-0 victory over Kazakhstan, and one man was at the centre of the reigning champion's victory.

L'Equipe said of the French superstar: "Mbappe delivered an exceptional match. He achieved everything with his historic quadruplet: two right-footed recoveries on caviars from Theo Hernandez and his evening accomplice Coman.

"The Parisian is in perfect timing for his third goal with a header from a cross from Munich's right piston. He turned into a decisive passer in the second half to delight Benzema. Already very close to the quadruple on a cross-shot shortly after the hour mark, he scored his fourth goal at the end of the match, just before giving up his place to the cheers of the Park."

Mbappe even netted a header in the clash to complete his first international hattrick
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Mbappe even netted a header in the clash to complete his first international hattrickCredit: AFP

Serge Gnabry - Tottenham vs Bayern Munich (2019)

Ex-Arsenal youngster Gnabry levelled a feat last achieved by Ronaldo as he stunned his former club's rivals with four goals in his side's 7-2 victory. Unlike Ronaldo, though, this performance got him a L'Equipe 10.

L'Equipe said: "Before this crazy evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Serge Gnabry had never scored a single goal in the Champions League. He opened his account during Bayern Munich's impressive victory against Spurs (7-2), and in what way!

"Gnabry scored the first quadruple in the Champions League since that of Cristiano Ronaldo in December 2015. Arriving at Bayern last season, he positions himself as a worthy successor to Arjen Robben. At 24, he is one of the club's great promises, which has been running since 2013 after a victory in C1."

Gnabry's performance in London in 2019 earned him a perfect 10
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Gnabry's performance in London in 2019 earned him a perfect 10Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Lucas Moura - Ajax vs Tottenham (2019)

Moura wrote himself into Tottenham and Champions League legend simultaneously with that last-ditch goal against Ajax.

Spurs reached the final of the European competition thanks to his surprise hat-trick that made it 3-2 and saw the Londoners seal a sensational win on away goals over two legs.

"An exceptional half, an evening for history," L'Equipe wrote. "A year and a half after leaving PSG for 27 million euros, the Brazilian striker from Tottenham scored an unexpected hat-trick which was (almost) up to him to send Spurs to the first time in the Champions League final, while Ajax led by three goals over the two matches."

Moura deservedly got his 10 after that incredible performance in Amsterdam
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Moura deservedly got his 10 after that incredible performance in AmsterdamCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Dusan Tadic - Real Madrid vs Ajax (2019)

Tadic earned himself a 10 in another memorable comeback Champions League tie. Ajax stunned Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2019, winning the second leg 4-1 to make it 5-3 on aggregate, with Tadic scoring one goal and providing two assists.

L'Equipe said: "Already magnificent in the first leg, the Serbian striker (30 years old) produced the perfect match. Of those who mark a career and will make him a very popular player. Double decisive passer, he scored the third goal with a sublime strike from the left, from sixteen meters.

"The Serbian international was also the author of delicious gestures, like this roulette in front of Casemiro on the second goal or this same gesture, again, in front of the Real area in the second half."

Tadic and Ajax sent the three-time defending Champions League champions packing
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Tadic and Ajax sent the three-time defending Champions League champions packingCredit: Getty

Neymar - Paris Saint-Germain vs Dijon (2018)

Neymar bagged six goal contributions in one game against Dijon in Ligue 1 in 2018, his first season in France.

L'Equipe wrote: "Author of four goals and two assists, the Brazilian prodigy, who arrived from Barcelona in the off-season, was the great architect of the victory against Dijon (8-0), the largest in the history of PSG at home.

"However, he was whistled by a part of the Parc des Princes when taking the penalty to make it 8-0 in the 83rd minute, while Edinson Cavani was in a position to become the top scorer in the club's history."

Neymar helped PSG make club history
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Neymar helped PSG make club historyCredit: Getty

Carlos Eduardo - Guingamp vs Nice (2014)

Before Neymar, former Brazilian Ligue 1 star Eduardo stunned L'Equipe in 2014 away at Guingamp whilst on loan with Nice from Porto in a 7-2 win.

L'Equipe said on his five goals: "The Brazilian midfielder becomes the first player to achieve a score of 10/10 in the French Championship. Against Guingamp, he scored a quintuple.

"We have to go back to April 28, 1984 to find a similar performance with Tony Kurbos' sextuplet, during Metz's victory in Nimes (7-3)."

Eduardo got into L'Equipe's exclusive club during his only season in France
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Eduardo got into L'Equipe's exclusive club during his only season in FranceCredit: AFP

Robert Lewandowski - Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid (2013)

Lewandowski netted all four of Borussia Dortmund's goals in their 4-1 win over Real Madrid in their first leg of the Champions League semi-finals in 2013.

He also became the first player to score a hat-trick against Real Madrid in Champions League history.

L'Equipe said: "Real executioner of the Madrilenians in this semi-final, the Pole at the same time becomes the ninth player in the history of the Champions League to score a quadruple. At the end of the match, he did not go far from the fifth goal."

Lewandowksi was recognised nine years before his 2022 Ballon d'Or win
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Lewandowksi was recognised nine years before his 2022 Ballon d'Or winCredit: Getty

Lionel Messi - Barcelona vs Arsenal (2010)

Ronaldo's rival Messi has got himself a 10 from L'Equipe twice during his career - the first coming against Arsenal in 2010.

The Barcelona legend ran the show in the Champions League quarter-final, netting four in a 4-1 victory and destroying the Gunners' European dream.

Even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was left claiming Messi 'made the impossible possible' after the game, and L'Equipe's assessment reflected that.

Messi was in inspirational form at the Nou Camp as Barca came from behind to win 6-3 on aggregate
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Messi was in inspirational form at the Nou Camp as Barca came from behind to win 6-3 on aggregateCredit: Getty

Lionel Messi - Barcelona vs Bayer Leverkusen (2012)

Messi upped his game even further to earn his second L'Equipe 10 in 2012.

The Argentine netted FIVE goals this time, doing so for the first time in a single game in his career. Barca reached the last eight of the Champions League with a resounding 7-1 victory.

As a result, Messi became the first player to get two L'Equipe 10s - sorry, Ronaldo!

Messi's Champions League showings got him in the exclusive club - twice!
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Messi's Champions League showings got him in the exclusive club - twice!Credit: Getty

Lars Windfield - Nantes vs Aarhus (1997)

Danish goalkeeper Windfield is best known for his remarkable performance and stunning saves against Nantes in 1997 in the UEFA Cup.

L'Equipe said: "He is a forgotten goalkeeper. His referenced feat of arms: having scored a goal with his club Aarhus against Odense.

"In France, known by the spectators at Beaujoire for having made the Nantes attackers go crazy one evening in September 1997 in the 32nd finals of the UEFA Cup. 1-0 victory and qualification for the Danes after the 2-2 first leg."

Oleg Salenko - Russia vs Cameroon (1994)

In 1994 Russian striker Salenko gained a L'Equipe 10 out of 10 with his five goals against Cameroon in the World Cup in a game Russia won 6-1. He remains the only player to have won the Under-20s World Cup and World Cup golden boot.

L'Equipe said: "Five goals in one World Cup match in 1994. What's more, against a major African nation, Cameroon. Frankly, it's hard to do better.

"Certainly, the context was particular, Russia and Cameroon having already been eliminated in their group, ahead of Sweden and Brazil. But the Russians did not insult the competition. Salenko was thus able to buy himself a ticket to history. The Cameroonians are on a collective journey towards ridicule."

Salenko marked his final international appearance in some style
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Salenko marked his final international appearance in some styleCredit: Getty

Franck Sauzee - France vs Greece (1988)

Sauzee's performance in France Under-21s' 3-0 win against Greece in the 1988 Euro Hope Final caught the eye of the French outlet.

"Ah! How beautiful it was, this French team, European Champion of Hope!" L'Equipe said. "A real nest of Sochaliens or exes, like Sauzee, just from Marseille.

"Two cannonball goals signed by the latter. One per half. German goals. Strike from 25 meters, then 20 meters. And then what activity in the midfield!"

Sauzee (second from right, top row) played alongside Cantona and other France legends during the tournament
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Sauzee (second from right, top row) played alongside Cantona and other France legends during the tournamentCredit: AFP

Bruno Martini - France vs Greece (1988)

Sauzee wasn't the only person to record the feat in that game, though, with his teammate Martini sharing the honour.

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Martini stepped in for his teammate Claude Barrabe in goal and helped lead his side the European Championship glory.

L'Equipe said: "Substitute for Claude Barrabé, suspended, Bruno Martini was the decisive man in this final. He made many decisive saves on Greek counterattacks. Impeccable on his line."

Martini made history for France's under-21s and later became a goalkeeping coach for Les Bleus
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Martini made history for France's under-21s and later became a goalkeeping coach for Les BleusCredit: Getty
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